Computation of passive suspension parameters for improvement of vehicle ride quality based on stochastic optimal controller with a look-ahead preview

This article aims to determine the optimum parameters of a half-car model passive suspension vehicle passing on a random road. The optimum parameters are obtained based on the response of linear quadratic regulator control with a look-ahead preview for attaining the passive suspension performance nearly equivalent to the active suspension performance. The optimum parameters are estimated by equalizing mean square suspension controlling forces of passive and active vehicle models and subsequently minimizing the performance error between the two systems. The response of passive suspension with optimized parameters matches approximately with the active suspension response, with respect to ride comfort and road holding.